Universal Removals can advise recommend and organise shipping your pets
We recommend the following companies / websites
www.ipata.org the bible of pet transport worldwide directory by country and information
www.animalcouriers.com based in Surrey service by road to/from France/Spain/UK
www.trans-pet.co.uk based north of Alicante service by road to/from France/Spain/UK
www.dominopetshipping.com based in Spain
www.jets4pets.com based in Leeds
www.airpets.com based at Heathrow
We have over 20 years experience of shipping animals worldwide and we provide a comprehensive service for sending your pet to Europe at a price that won’t break the bank as we have special arrangements with various airlines. Or if you prefer we also have specially converted Transit vans to send animals overland departing once per week in each direction. Dogs and cats leaving the UK must now comply with the Pet Travel Scheme and have an EU Pet Passport.
If you have a bird or reptile different rules apply. Although the freight procedures are normally identical there are different regulations covering the identification and documentation for the animal. These very often require an export certificate and/or an export licence or cities permit to allow travel. In such cases it’s best to contact us for advice.
To qualify for a Pet Passport your dog or cat must complete the following procedure in this order:
- Your pet must be microchipped
- Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies
- A further test must be carried out to check for immunity to rabies (optional)
- Your Vet must issue an EU pet passport
- Your Vet must carry out a health check and then certify the animal fit to travel
The above must be done by a local Veterinary Inspector (LVI).
Please note that there is now a new 21 day waiting rule from the date of the first rabies vaccination and travel to another EU country
Your pet must first be fitted with a microchip to identify it. In Europe, ISO (International Standards Organisation) standard microchips meeting specifications 11784 or Annex A of ISO Standard 11785 are generally used. If the microchip does not meet either of these ISO Standards, you must provide your own microchip reader (at your expense) to enable the microchip number to be read successfully when your animal enters the UK or needs to be checked in another European pets country.
Your pet must be vaccinated against Rabies.
Your pet must be at least three months old before it is vaccinated. This can be done any time after it has been fitted with a microchip. Before vaccinating your pet, make sure your vet checks its microchip number and enters it on your pet’s vaccination record.
If your pet has been vaccinated against rabies before it was identified by a microchip, it will have to be vaccinated again. This is to make sure that your pet is correctly identified when it is vaccinated.
If you think you may return to the UK get your vet to perform a rabies blood test. The rabies blood test will confirm that your pet has immunity against rabies and will confirm that your pet is eligible to return to the UK without quarantine 6 months after the date of the clear test result provided that the other requirements under the scheme have been met. We would advise getting this done 6 weeks prior to travel.
Your vet must then issue an EU Pet Passport. In Great Britain, the passport is issued by a government-authorised vet known as a local Veterinary Inspector (LVI). If your veterinary practice does not have a resident LVI, your vet may be able to tell you where the nearest one works. Your local Animal Health Office can also provide these details. Defra does not charge vets for the passport. For animals in other EU countries, a vet in that country will issue the passport.
When you go to get the passport take your pet, its vaccination record and, if applicable, the blood test result. The documents must show your pet’s microchip number. Also take evidence of the date your pet was microchipped.
Make sure that the vet correctly completes sections I-IV of the passport, and V if the animal has had a satisfactory blood test.
Your vet must examine the animal between 2-9 days prior to departure and certify the animal fit to travel. You should take you pet to your vet between 2 and 9 days prior to departure and have them perform a thorough health check and the stamp the “clinical examination” page of the passport certifying the animal is fit to travel. Depending on the airline you may also require a veterinary health certificate as this is an individual requirement of certain airlines. Ensure that your vet scans the animal’s microchip as the animal could be delayed if the microchip cannot be read.
Once you have the above the animal is ready to travel. We always advise that you discuss your animal’s individual health requirements for when they first arrive in Spain. Dogs for instance must be protected against heartworm and flea and tick prevention may require a different regime from the UK so you should always have a small supply of necessary medication to keep your pet in peak health until you find a local Spanish vet.
The animal cannot travel to another EU member state until 21 days have elapsed between the vaccination and travel date.
The correct container/box/crate for your animal
In order to transport your pet you must have a container that meets the requirements set out in the IATA live animals regulations. The correct container allows your pet to stand up, lie down and turn around in comfort whilst they are in the container and that they have sufficient ventilation, comfort and fresh water during travel.
We only supply containers that exceed these requirements, if you already have a container the chances are is that it won’t be suitable for air freight because the requirements are so stringent and never take any unnecessary risks where the container is concerned.
We can supply the majority of containers within 24 hours and even if you have a specific requirement that’s not a stock item it can usually be supplied within 3-4 days.
The crate is determined by the animals size if you wish us to quote for transport of your pet please supply us with the following measurements:
Length in cm = Nose to root of tail – tail excluded
Height in cm = Floor to top of head while standing
Width in cm at the widest point
For up to date information it’s always wise to give us a call to discuss your pet’s individual requirements, advice and estimates are free. The DEFRA website is also a good source of information and can be reached by clicking the link below
Returning to the UK
If you plan to return to the UK you must follow the procedure for returning animals to the UK please ask us to email you these details or check them on the DEFRA website.